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Andrus boasts hit streak, but lacks extra-base hits

Andrus boasts hit streak, but lacks extra-base hits

7/30/13: Elvis Andrus comes through with a two-out hit that scores David Murphy from second, tying the game at 7 in the seventh inning

By T.R. Sullivan and Cash Kruth
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MLB.com |

OAKLAND -- Shortstop Elvis Andrus, after struggling for much of the first half, extended his hit streak to 16 games in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the A's. It's the longest streak by a Rangers player this season and ties his career high. Andrus went 1-for-3 to bring his average to .339 (20-for-59) during the streak, raising his season average to .257.

"It's about time," Andrus said. "For me, I've been fighting so much with my swing and my approach in the first half. I came into the second half with a plan and I've executed it. That's what I was looking for.

"Before I was trying to do so many things, now I've tried to simplify it. See a lot of pitches, hit the ball middle-away [center and right field] and don't pull too much. I just got lost in the first half."

Of his 20 hits during the streak, four were doubles, giving him 12 on the season. He has not hit a home run this season and has just three triples, none during his recent surge. He tripled nine times in 2012, but his last was on May 18. The other two came in the second game of the season.

His .297 slugging percentage entering Saturday's play was the second lowest in the American League and would the sixth lowest among qualifying hitters in Rangers history. The lowest was .255 by Jim Sundberg in 1975.

"Elvis is not a power hitter and I certainly hope he doesn't get to the point where he thinks like that," manager Ron Washington said. "When you struggle like he's struggled, it's hard to get doubles and triples. It's just one of those years where things haven't fallen into place for him. But he hasn't stopped grinding. We still have two months to go. He's got time to add to the doubles and triples. It's not over yet."